Meaning and history of the flag

Already in the beginning of 1994, during a meeting of
the CIS-states, a contest was announced to come for a flag
and emblem for Community [Commonwealth — M.S.] of Independent
States. Winner became the artist Alexander Wasiljewitsch
Grigorjew from St. Petersburg. His proposal was brought
into the meeting by the Secretary-General I. Korotttschen
and on April 15, 1994 the council took over the designs
with the words that it had to be discussed before comming
official. However, although not official yet, the flag and
emblem is already in use.
The flag and emblem are having a sky-blue background.
The yellow (golden) circle in the centre (the grain, heart
and the sun) symbolising the idea of Light, Warmth and Life.
Around it a white symbol like an arcade, standing for
cooperation, collective house, growing mighty trees, a cup
holding Light and the warmth of the sun for humanity and
giving it.
Meaning of the colours:

Please note that Jiří Tenora gives "sky-blue", while the
law text clearly states "dark blue" (although it
should not be as dark as that since here "dark blue" stands for Russian
"синий", which is
normal, wide shade range "blue", while "sky-blue" is Russian
"голубой").António Martins, 06 Nov 1999

Pennant

I came across a UN document containing
information on the flag of the Commonwealth
of Independent States (CIS) and the use of
that flag. The flag is described in Decision
on the Statute on the Flag of the Commonwealth
of Independent States which was «done at
Moscow on 19 January 1996 in one original in
the Russian language».
Article one deals with the design and symbolism
of the CIS flag:

Statute on the Flag of the Commonwealth of
Independent States

The flag of the Commonwealth of Independent
States (hereinafter referred to as the flag of
the Commonwealth) shall be the symbol of the
Commonwealth of Independent States (hereinafter
referred to as the Commonwealth) and shall consist
of a right-angled dark blue field in the center
of which is a white figure made up of vertical
bars, diverging symmetrically in the upper part
of the figure to right and left to form concentric
ring-shaped design elements. The latter broaden
towards the top and are rounded, while their
length and width decrease from the center of
symmetry towards the periphery. In the upper
part of the design is a golden circle surrounded
by the ring-shaped elements.

The design symbolizes the aspiration for equitable
partnership, unity, peace and stability.

The proportion of the width of the flag to its
length shall be 1:2.

The following articles (2-11) deals with the use
of the flag. An interesting specification of the
use of the flag for CIS peace keeping forces is
in an appendix to the «Decision on the adoption
of the statute on collective peace-keeping forces
in the Commonwealth of Independent States, adopted
in Moscow on 19 January 1996»:

APPENDIX

Description and illustration of the distinguishing
insignia of the Collective Peace-keeping Forces

Positions and demarcation lines shall be marked by
flags of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Flag dimensions:

At the command post of the Commander of the Collective
Peace-keeping Forces — 1×2 m;

At the command posts of units, command and observation
posts and observation posts of subunits and other duty
stations — 0,5×1 m;

At lines of demarcation between the conflicting sides
— 1×2 m;

Pennants displaying the symbol of the Commonwealth
measuring 20×40 cm shall be affixed to combat equipment
and means of transport, and pennants measuring 15×30 cm
shall be affixed to passenger vehicles.

All this (and much more) was contained in a «Letter dated
26 January 1996 from the Permanent Representative of the
Russian Federation to the United Nations addressed to the
Secretary-General». The document
is available from the UN. [The original gopher link is modified into current
location of this document. Ed.]Jan Oskar Engene, 03 Aug 1997

In Album 2000 [pay00], the
blue field is approximated as Pantone 279c (and yellow 116c), which
is a grayish light blue shade.Željko Heimer, 13 Dec 2003